MRSA infection protective agent

Abstract

Provided is a novel MRSA infection protective agent. Bacteria belonging to the genus Enterococcus have been found to be capable of protecting against MRSA infection. The MRSA infection protective agent comprises a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus. Also provided are: a medicine for protection against MRSA infection, comprising a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus; and a food for protection against MRSA infection, comprising a bacterium belonging to the genus Enterococcus.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for reducing the incidence of and/or treatment of a methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA) infection in a subject in need thereof, comprising: administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising killed cells of  Enterococcus faecalis  strain EF-2001. 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method is a method for reducing incidence of the MRSA infection in the subject in need thereof. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is orally administered. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is formulated such that the killed cells of  Enterococcus faecalis  strain EF-2001 are orally administered in an amount of 6×10 9  CFU/kg body weight or more per dose. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is formulated such that the killed cells of  Enterococcus faecalis  strain EF-2001 are orally administered in an amount of 6×10 11  CFU/kg body weight or more per dose. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is formulated such that the killed cells of  Enterococcus faecalis  strain EF-2001 are orally administered in an amount of 6×10 9  to 1.2×10 10  CFU/kg body weight per dose. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method is a method for treatment of the MRSA infection in the subject in need thereof. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition is orally administered. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition is formulated such that the killed cells of  Enterococcus faecalis  strain EF-2001 are orally administered in an amount of 6×10 9  CFU/kg body weight or more per dose. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition is formulated such that the killed cells of  Enterococcus faecalis  strain EF-2001 are orally administered in an amount of 6×10 11  CFU/kg body weight or more per dose. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition is formulated such that the killed cells of  Enterococcus faecalis  strain EF-2001 are orally administered in an amount of 6×10 9  to 1.2×10 10  CFU/kg body weight per dose.